Minister for Roads Chris Steel today announced the completion of major works on the duplication of Horse Park Drive from the Federal Highway all the way through to the intersection of Katherine Avenue/Roden Cutler Drive.
"The completion of Horse Park Drive is a key piece of infrastructure to reduce congestion and keep Canberrans moving," Minister Steel said.
"We know Gungahlin residents will be pleased the road is now completed and I'd like to sincerely thank them for their enormous patience and understanding whilst these important road works were completed. The project was completed approximately $6 million under budget."
Work on the latest section between the Federal Highway and Well Station Drive got underway in mid-2018 and all four lanes opened in this section earlier this month.
Key features of this section of the duplication include:
- duplication of approximately 2.6 kilometres of Horse Park Drive between the Federal Highway and Well Station Drive to provide two lanes in each direction
- new three metre wide shared path along the southern side (Kenny side) of Horse Park Drive
- new road bridge and shared path bridge over Sullivan's Creek
- 400 new Eucalyptus trees planted along the corridor
- better access to the parking area for the Goorooyarroo Nature Park.
The project was also extended through to the intersection of Katherine Avenue/Roden Cutler Drive to include a number of safety features to ensure students are safe on their way to and from school. They include:
- an indented bus bay to improve driver sight and the safety of school kids and other pedestrians
- a new signalised pedestrian crossing at the existing intersection at the entrance to the Amaroo playing fields
- fencing in the median strip between the Amaroo playing fields and the Katherine Avenue/Roden Cutler Drive intersection to prevent unsafe crossings
- removal of the median refuge islands and improved signalisation at the Katherine Avenue/Roden Cutler Drive intersection so people can cross the road in one movement
- a reduced speed limit of 80 km/h to 60 km/h to ensure the safety of school children at this section of Horse Park Drive.
All major duplication works have now been completed. Works will finish up on the shared path shortly and some landscaping works will continue in the coming weeks.
"There's been significant growth and change in the Gungahlin region and at times it has seemed like it was one giant construction site. What it shows is that our Government was serious about addressing the infrastructure needs of our region and building better roads, and now we can share in the benefits," Member for Yerrabi Michael Pettersson said.
"The worst disruptions are now over, and with Horse Park Drive now duplicated, Gundaroo stage 1 finished and light rail completed, Gungahlin residents are already reporting the benefits in substantially reduced commute times."
Minister Steel said that in the last 12 months alone Hibberson Street had been transformed into a one-way shared zone, Ernest Cavanagh Street was extended, a new signalised intersection installed at Kate Crace Street and the Valley Avenue, a new connecting road in Camilleri Way has been built, and design works are also underway for the duplication of William Slim Drive. The other major road project, Gundaroo Stage 2, from Gungahlin Dr to the Barton Highway is under construction and is on track for completion around mid-2020.
"We're proud of the bold infrastructure program that we have delivered to support one of Australia's fastest growing regions. Our Government will continue to build the infrastructure our growing city needs," Minister Steel said.
